There was a Mogul Emperor in India, Akbar The Great (1542-1605). His full name was Jalaludden Mohammed Akbar Padshah Ghazi and he ruled India from 1560 to 1605. He himself was illiterate, but he invited several learned people in his court. Among these people, nine were very famous and were called Nav Ratna (nine jewels of the Mogul Crown) of his court. Among these nine jewels, five people were more famous - Tansen, Todarmal, Abul Fazal, Maan Singh and Birbal.
1. Tansen ... A Great Singer
2. Dasvant ... A Great Painter
3. King Todarmal ... A Financial Wizard
4. Abdu us-Samad ... A Brilliant Calligrapher and Designer of Imperil Coins
5. Abul Fazal ... A Great Historian ( whose brother was Faizi )
6. Faizi ... A Great Poet
7. Mir Fareh-ullah Shirazi ... Financier,Philosopher,Physician & Astronomer
8. King Maan Singh ... A Great Man known for His Chivalry
9. Birbal ... A Great Man known for His Valuable Advice
Akbar's son Prince Sultan Salim, later known as Jehangir wrote that nobody could make out that Akbar was an illiterate. Akbar was a very hard-working King. It is also said about him that he slept only three hours a night.
Birbal (1528-1583) is surely one of the most popular figures in Indian history equally regarded by adults and children. Birbal's duties in Akbar's court were mostly administrative and military but he was a very close friend of Akbar too, because Akbar loved his wisdom, wit and subtle humor. He was a minister in the administration of Mogul Emperor Akbar and one of the members of inner council of nine advisors. He was a poet and an author too.
It is believed that he was a son of poor Braahman of Trivikrampur on the banks of River Yamuna. According to a popular legend, he died on an expedition toAfghanistan at the head of a large military force due to treachery. It is also said that when Birbal died, Akbar mourned him for several months.
The exchanges between Akbar and Birbal have been recorded in many volumes. Many of these have become folk stories in Indian tradition. Birbal's collection ofpoetry published under the pen name Brahm are preserved in Bharatpur Museum, Rajsthan, India.
Many courtiers were jealous with Birbal and often plotted for his downfall.
Tale Of Birbal
Emperor Akbar once ruled over India. He was a wise and intelligent ruler, and he had in his
court the Nine Gems, his nine advisors, who were each known for a particular skill. One of
these Gems was Birbal, known for his wit and wisdom. The story below is one of the examples
of his wit. Do you have it in you to find out the answer?
A farmer and his neighbour once went to Emperor Akbar's court with a complaint.
'Your Majesty, I bought a well from him,' said the farmer pointing to his neighbour, 'and now
he wants me to pay for the water.'
'That's right, your Majesty,' said the neighbour. 'I sold him the well but not the water!'
?The Emperor asked Birbal to settle the dispute.
How did Birbal solve the dispute?
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'Didn't you say that you sold your well to this farmer?' Birbal asked the neighbour. 'So, the
well belongs to him now, but you have kept your water in his well. Is that right? Well, in that
case you will have to pay him a rent or take your water out at once.'The neighbour realized
that he was outwitted. He quickly apologised and gave up his claim."
court the Nine Gems, his nine advisors, who were each known for a particular skill. One of
these Gems was Birbal, known for his wit and wisdom. The story below is one of the examples
of his wit. Do you have it in you to find out the answer?
A farmer and his neighbour once went to Emperor Akbar's court with a complaint.
'Your Majesty, I bought a well from him,' said the farmer pointing to his neighbour, 'and now
he wants me to pay for the water.'
'That's right, your Majesty,' said the neighbour. 'I sold him the well but not the water!'
?The Emperor asked Birbal to settle the dispute.
How did Birbal solve the dispute?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
'Didn't you say that you sold your well to this farmer?' Birbal asked the neighbour. 'So, the
well belongs to him now, but you have kept your water in his well. Is that right? Well, in that
case you will have to pay him a rent or take your water out at once.'The neighbour realized
that he was outwitted. He quickly apologised and gave up his claim."
Tales of birbal 2
Akbar Birbal Stories 2 (The True King)
The King of Iran had heard that Birbal was one of the
wisest men in the East and desirous of meeting him
sent him an invitation to visit his country.
In due course, Birbal arrived in Iran.
When he entered the palace he was flabbergasted
to find not one but six kings seated there. All looked
alike. All were dressed in kingly robes. Who was the real king?
The very next moment he got his answer. Confidently, he approached the king
and bowed to him.
"But how did you identify me?" the king asked, puzzled.
Birbal smiled and explained: "The false kings were all looking at you, while you
yourself looked straight ahead. Even in regal robes, the common people will always
look to their king for support."
Overjoyed, the king embraced Birbal and showered him with gifts.
Tales of birbal 3
Akbar Birbal Stories 1 (The Sharpest Shield and Sword)
A man who made spears and shields once came to Akbar's court.
"Your Majesty, nobody can make shields and spears to equal mine," he said. "My shields are so strong that nothing can pierce them and my spears are so sharp that there's nothing they cannot pierce."
"I can prove you wrong on one count certainly," said Birbal suddenly.
"Impossible!" declared the man.
"Hold up one of your shields and I will pierce it with one of your spears," said Birbal with a smile.
A man who made spears and shields once came to Akbar's court."Your Majesty, nobody can make shields and spears to equal mine," he said. "My shields are so strong that nothing can pierce them and my spears are so sharp that there's nothing they cannot pierce."
"I can prove you wrong on one count certainly," said Birbal suddenly.
"Impossible!" declared the man.
"Hold up one of your shields and I will pierce it with one of your spears," said Birbal with a smile.
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